Leicestershire County Council: Two tips saved in cost-cutting budget

Tips in Harborough and Shepshed, which were earmarked for closure, will stay open

Two Leicestershire recycling centres have been saved from closure under new plans, but opening hours will be cut.

The tips in Harborough and Shepshed will stay open according to Leicestershire County Council's latest budget.

Somerby tip will still close, with an extra £100,000 going towards the remaining waste sites.

The latest proposals have been announced as part of the council's 2024-28 financial plan.

Papers show the authority is projected to face a £83m budget gap by 2028, despite cost-saving measures.

An extra £129m has been allocated to meet growing demand, mainly in social care, and £113m has been set aside to cover inflation and the National Living Wage increase, the council said.

The three tips were earmarked for closure as part of cost-saving measures in October.

Under the new proposals, the Shepshed tip will only be open for two days a week, while the Harborough and Kibworth recycling centres share opening hours over seven days.

Budget challenges remain

Despite extra funding from the government, papers show the authority is still projected to face a £6m budget shortfall next year - rising to £33m in 2026 and £60m in 2027.

Council leader, Nick Rushton, said he welcomed the extra support from the government, but said it would not help the council in years to come.

"It's good news that the government has listened to local government's very real and pressing concerns, and we welcome the extra funding," he said.

"It halves the reserves we need to use to balance the books next year.

"But it's far from a sustainable solution and does nothing to help with the budget shortfall in later years.

"We remain a well-run council and have saved £262m since 2010 - but spiralling costs and service demands mean this is still the toughest budget we've ever faced."

Council leader Nick Rushton said the council had been "well-run"

As part of the budget proposals, the council has earmarked an extra £400,000 to tackle flooding and £2.7m to maintain roads and fix potholes.

It also included £39m of savings, which may lead to a reduction of about 200 jobs over the next four years, the council said.

The proposals will be discussed by the council's cabinet at a meeting on 9 February.